So I got some of these brood builder patties from Dadant. My question, how do I use them? One guy told me to put them between 2 frames is that what you guys do?
Thanks
Brian
I use them in Feb and March. Just set them on top of the cluster of bees. That is when you need to build up the brood. You will lose the hive if you use them in summer. Beetles will move in om the patties and the bees can not control them.
Are the patties installed with the wax paper on both sides? I'm wondering if bees can actually get stuck on them if you take the wax paper off one side.
The bees will chew the paper away. Leave it on. It may help keep the beetles out for a little while.
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Make a frame which litft the inner cover 10 mm. Roll the patty between papers that you may put it rest over frame bars.
Leave the wax paper on both sides.
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
Just remember, patties are a buffet/orgy for SHB during the warmer weather.
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If bees get from nature multi floral pollen, they will not need patty and propably they will not eate it
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I've never fed pollen patties, or any kind of pollen or pollen substitute. I might give it a try next spring.
Some years ago, I was putting out some bird seed on a warm day in late February, and I saw bees all over the new bird seed. It had lots of cracked corn in it, and the bees were gathering the dust from it, packing it up like pollen, and taking it to the hive. They don't go for it every year, but sometimes they really like it. They dig all through it and get themselves covered, then they use their legs and gather it up.
Thanks everyone for all the good advice. Paper stays on. Got it.